A Song at Twilight by Noel Coward, the first show of the 2016 Season, is now playing through May 29 at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The play is a classic example of Coward’s ability to hook his audience in with humor and a seemingly light situation and to have it evolve into strong commentary on a serious situation. A Song at Twilight was the first of three short plays in a trilogy referred to as a Suite in Three Keys which Coward wrote in 1965. According to notes from The Shakespeare Theatre, Coward was inspired to write the play based on an incident recounted in David Cecil’s biography, Max, of Lord Max Beerbohm. The book recounts where in his old age, he was visited by a former lover, the “over vivacious actress Constance Collier.” Although the original incident was humorous, Coward said that “My play is more sinister, and there is more Maugham (referring to the writer Somerset Maugham) in it as well as Max.” The concept of the visit by a former lover brings with it a potential threat of blackmail as well as the disclosure of what was thought to be a long held secret.
Directed by Paul Mullins, this play is set in a private suite in a Swiss hotel tastefully decorated to represent the upper crust of society that so often was seen in the playwright’s work. The opening shows Hugo Latymer, played by Edmond Genest, preparing for his former lover’s arrival that evening for dinner. Well aware of the previous arrangement is his wife, Hilde Latymer played by Alison Weller. Hilde is accepting of what will take place and she has even made plans to meet one of her own friends for dinner and movie. This will leave only Felix, played by Ben Houghton, to provide hotel dinner service and a to play a few songs on the grand piano in the suite. Hugo is a bit puzzled as to why, after so many years, Carlotta says she has a matter of great importance to discuss with him.
After a great deal of preparation, the former lover arrives. Played by Laila Robins, Carlotta Gray is a vivacious and outgoing character. In fact, Robins basically steals much of the middle part of the play with her superb interpretation of Carlotta. Garbed in a sheath style dress of a vibrant yellow and wearing sparkling, rhinestone high heels, Carlotta is very chatty as Hugo plays a gracious host filled with curiosity. As more drinks are consumed and more caviar gets eaten, Carlotta proceeds to bore into the very being of Hugo as she reminds him of how he basically tossed her aside towards the end of their relationship.
A lighter moment from ‘A Song at Twilight’ between Hugo Latymer (Edmond Genest) and Carlotta Gray (Laila Robins) Photo courtesy of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2016.
Finally, Carlotta informs Hugo that she has written her own biography and has included him in it. What she tells him about her plans for inclusion in the book is what sets the rest of the story to a more sinister and much dramatic tone.
The mood changes between : Carlotta Gray (Laila Robins) and Hugo Latymer (Edmond Genest) Photo courtesy of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2016.
As Hilde returns to the suite, another very surprising twist of the plot takes place. And in the final scenes, although Carlotta is present, it is suddenly wife Hilde who takes center stage and becomes quite a strong character to be remembered.
A scene with Hilde Latymer (Alison Weller), Carlotta Gray (Laila Robins), Hugo Latymer (Edmond Genest). Photo courtesy of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2016
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey provides a riveting visit to the theater with “A Song at Twilight.” It has every aspect needed to make a good, strong and memorable play: beautifully designed sets and superb costumes, a good play with interesting dialog and most of all, a cast which provides strong acting and the ability to get the audience to be involved with the issues at hand. This play will close on Sunday, May 29, 2016. For tickets, check The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey website.